BASC expels member for wildlife crime and firearms offences

BASC, the UK’s largest shooting and conservation organisation, has expelled for life a member convicted of wildlife crime and firearms offences. Expulsion from BASC involves the loss of shooting insurance, on which the ability to shoot may depend, and other benefits of membership.

The member from Nottinghamshire pleaded guilty to unlawfully trapping and beating to death two buzzards and possessing two dead stock doves. He also pleaded guilty to offences involving not securing a shotgun properly, not storing ammunition securely and not securing a cabinet in which firearms and ammunition were stored. He was sentenced to twenty weeks imprisonment suspended for twelve months, and was ordered to pay £1,000 in fines, £700 in costs, and £180 in compensation. His shotgun certificate was revoked.

Disciplinary matters involving BASC members are decided by the Association’s Executive and Finance Committee. These issues involve conduct which is, or likely to be, injurious to the character or inconsistent with the objects of the Association or its individual members, or the good name of the sport, the law, and the lore of the countryside.